The back-to-school season has finally arrived in Clayton-Englewood! Finally, it’s fall, so this is the season when we plan for the busy school year that lies ahead. The first few weeks of school always seem to be a little hectic as everyone adjusts to the new routine, early morning hours, homework assignments, and all the other beautiful chaos that ensues with a new school year.   

Where your HVAC system is concerned, preventative maintenance and seasonal preparations are vital in keeping your HVAC system running efficiently. With the transition from warmer to cooler months, you want to ensure your furnace is set up for success and ready to withstand the cool months in Ohio. Because, after all, the last thing you need is your heating system to give you problems during the busiest time of the year. So, with the proper points from your Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling service experts, you can prepare your HVAC system to succeed as you better focus your energy on ringing in the back-to-school season nice and strong!  

Have You Considered Resetting the Thermostat Temperature?  

So, first, let’s start with your thermostat. You probably have an ideal temperature that you use for your household in the summertime. But the weather is changing, and pretty soon (if not already), you will need a new temperature set for your home that can accommodate the changing weather. If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, you may already have it set to coincide with your and your family’s weekly schedule. For example, you can have it set at a higher temperature for the times when no one or fewer people are at home. Usually, this would be set for the weekday schedule. However, with school back in session – whether you have elementary school-aged kids, high school teenagers, or college-aged children, your daily schedule has likely adjusted somewhat. So, you will want to reset the temperature on your thermostat to sufficiently keep your home comfortable with the now cooler weather. In addition, your weekly routine has most likely changed, so be sure to preprogram your thermostat with your adjusted schedule. Doing this can result in lower energy consumption and extra energy savings!  

Have You Considered Changing the Air Filter Beforehand?  

If you’re a seasoned homeowner, you probably already know the jig – as a general rule of thumb, air filters need to be changed every 1-2 months. This enables your HVAC system to run efficiently while adequately circulating the air within your home at a high quality. When was the last time you changed the air filters in your home? Perhaps they’re not quite due for a change yet. If not, it wouldn’t hurt to start the season with a clean slate – which in the HVAC world means a fresh air filter. In the summertime, pollen and allergens are at an all-time high, so, your filter has likely become overloaded with these particles. Therefore, we believe it beneficial to go ahead and change your air filters beforehand. The fall and back-to-school seasons come with their own type of germy woes that you most definitely want to prevent as much as possible. 

Have You Considered Checking the Area Around the Compressor?  

Next, think about your outdoor unit, known as the compressor. We always stress the importance of keeping the area around the compressor clean. When the weather is warm, plant vegetation and weeds will likely sprout in this vicinity. You may have noticed and cared for them whether you did yardwork or mowed the grass. However, with the seasonal change in effect, some weeds or loose leaves may have slipped by you. Plants and weeds are still growing around this time of the year, so you don’t want any loose leaves or debris getting caught and stuck in the compressor’s fan blades. Imagine that happening. It would surely make for an even more chaotic back-to-school season. Prevent this from occurring by frequenting this area throughout the fall season. Loose leaves and twigs will steadily fall, and it’s essential to keep an eye out for them.   

Have You Scheduled Your Fall Tune-up & Safety Check Yet?  

Every fall, your furnace should be serviced for its fall tune-up & safety check. Your furnace has been dormant for a good several months up until now. So, it’s crucial it not only gets tuned up before it is heavily used this season but also needs to be checked by a licensed HVAC technician to ensure everything is still functioning smoothly per current safety regulations.  

Have You Considered Using a Home Air Purifier?  

And last but not least, let’s address those back-to-school germs. Bacteria, viruses, and sickness are notorious unwanted guests that love to invade our lives when it is most inconvenient. Although you can’t control the germs that you and your family are exposed to while they are at school or while you are at work, you can control them from further infiltrating your home with a good air purification system. One we highly recommend is the iWave-R. Due to its use of needlepoint ionization, it can almost completely eliminate bacteria and viruses from circulating throughout your home, with a fascinating success rate of 99.4%. If you’d like additional information on the iWave-R, we’d be glad to answer any questions you may have.  

If you’d like further tips and tricks on making your back-to-school transition a smooth one, please reach out to your Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling family. We can be reached at (937) 412-2911, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! We hope you have the most enjoyable fall season and the best school year possible!